Covering for articles of wood and similar materials



May 24, 1932. VAN ARNAM 1,86,U@

COVERING FOR ARTICLES 0 WOOD AND SIMILAR MATERIALS Filed Oct. 10, 1927 3a W////7////%/7/ pa INVENTOR Patented May 24, 1932 hilt HOWARD LOBDELLVAN ARNAM, OF FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO VAN ARNAM MANUFACTURINGCOMPANY, A CORPORATION OF INDIANA COVERING FOR ARTICLES 015 WOOD ANDSIMILAR MATERIALS Application filed October 10, 1927.

This invention relates to improvements in coverings for articles of woodand similar materials. and the method of applying same. The objects ofthe in'iprovement are: First, to afford a durable coating for a woodenstructure that is ordinarily in use subjected to moisture. such as watercloset seats and covers therefor, so that the wooden structures will becompletely sheltered and saved from injury by the influence of moisture,etc.; second, to facilitate the manufacture of celluloid covered woodenarticles wherein is required the finished Product in various colors; andthird. to provide a method of covering articles of wood and similarmaterial with celluloid whereby chipping and cracking, or peeling of thecelluloid coating, that ordinarily occurs, especially when applied influid form, is obviated.

These objects are accomplished by the method hereinafter setforthwherein a covering is applied to an article of wood or other material.and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is aperspective view of a water closet seat. there being portions of thestrata forming the covering for the seat cut away;

Fig. 2 is av fragmentary cross section of a toilet seat to which thecovering has been applied; and

Fig. 3 is a view showing a segment of wood upon which is applied acoating embodying the invention. the view being on a greatly magnifiedscale.

The characters appearing in the description refer to parts shown in thedrawings and designated thereon by corresponding characters.

The invention consists of an article of wood or similar material, suchas a water closet seat core 1, of ordinary structure. and which core iscompletely enveloped by a layer 2 of sheetcelluloid that is applied asin ordinary practice. and which layer of celluloid has thereon asuperstratum 3 formed of celluloid in plastic form. or lacquer. saidlayer and superstratum being intimately associated. The inventionconsists further in the method by which the cover of sheet celluloid onthe core is finished in a fixed color.

Serial No. 225,384.

The core 1 is formed of wood and is shaped as in the general practice ofmanufacture, and the layer 2 of celluloid is applied to the core byreducing sheet celluloid to a pliant condition with ordinary chemicalexpedients and cementing the pliant sheets to the surfaces of the core,and after the applied sheets have hardened, or regained their normalstate of solidity, the overlapping edges or junctures between the edgesof the sheets are trimmed and smoothed so that the core is completelyenveloped and hermetically sealed by the sheet celluloid.

The superstratum 3 is formed of any suitable lacquer, or of celluloidthat has been reduced in alcohol, ansol, or amyl acetates, used assolvents, to a fluid state, and is applied to the exposed surface of thesheet celluloid on the core by a spraying device, (not shown), such asare in common use for applying paint and similar fluids, so that thelayer of sheet celluloid is completely encased by a superstratum oflacquer or plastic celluloid. In preparing the fluid for application, asufficient surplus of the solvent agent is included in the solution sothat the surface portion of the sheet celluloid covered by thesuperstratum will become dissolved to some extent and absorbed thereby,and thus a portion 4 of the covering is formed by the juncture betweenthe strata in which the said strata are inter-related. The solvents ofthe solution, being volatile. evaporate and the superstratum solidifies,after which its surface may be highly polished by buffing operations inthe ordinary manner.

A distinct advantage is obtained by making a covering for the core withan underlying strata formed of sheet celluloid, as such material doesnot tend to crack nor peel off of the wooden core when cemented thereon,and in itself constitutes an efficient protecting surface coating forthe core. and by forming the superstratum of lacquer or of a solution ofcelluloid. and solvents therefor in sufficient proportion as to causepartial absorption of the sheet celluloid substratum, the defects in thesheet celluloid such as may exist in the material, or because ofcareless workmanship in applying it, as well as patched portions thatmay have been made to remedy defects, are readily and effectivelyconcealed and improved by the application of the super- I stratum.

Another advantage in forming the covering with a substratum of sheetcelluloid in its natural or stock color, and subsequently applying asuperstratum formed of a solu tion in which is included a propercoloring matter as will result in giving the finished covering apermanent and desired tint or shade. is that the manufacture of thearticle is greatly facilitated. Also a large number of the articles maybe prepared to that stage when the core is completely encased with thesheet celluloid stratum irrespective of any coloring. and may then beheld in stock pendin; the determination of the final color to besubsequently applied in finishing the article.

The colors selected by different purchasers vary greatly. as do also thequantities of the uood required. and ordinarily much delay is occasionedin supplying: purchasers when the covering for the core is of sheetcelluloid alone. considerable time is required in the manufactory forapplying the sheet celluloid to the core. and the selection of the colornecessarily precedes the application of the sheet celluloid. However.the present invention contemplates the advantage in ap plying thecoloring matter with the superstratum. which is the final step incompleting: the articles and requires but a comparative short time toexecute. in this manner the necessity of carrying extensive stocks ofsheet celluloid of various colors with which to meet the requirements ofthe customers is obviated. and instead there is only required to bemaintained on hand for coloring purposes a supply of ingredients invarious colors to be added to the celluloid solution. or lacquer. beforeit applied to form the superstratum of the covering.

The partial absorption of the sheel celluloid by the sup rstratum formedof the colored fluid. insures permanence to the coloring of the finishedarticle. and as the lacquer or fluid celluloid may be given any desiredcolor or shade. by adding proper coloring matter, which fluid solidifiesquickly. the finished articles may be readily furnished to match anycoloring required. with dispatch.

By including the coloring matter for the seat in the fluid forming thesuperstratum of the covering therefor. a further. facility is attainedand admit of extending the superstratum by applying" it to theaccessories for the seat. such as hinges or supports. (not shown). thatare not ordinarily covered with sheet celluloid. In this manner the seatand its accessories may be. readily finished uniformly so as to match incolor with precision. Also. an advantage is realized when coveringarticles of odd shape that necessitate more or less cutting, fitting,patching and dressing of the sheet celluloid substratum, as thesuperst-ratum after being applied afiords a smooth, unbroken anduniformly colored surface that conforms readily to the irregularities inform of the article.

Vhat I claim is 1. The method of covering an article of wood or similarmaterial which consists in applying upon the surface of said article asheet of celluloid while reduced to a pliant state by cen'ienting saidsheet thereon, superimposing upon said sheet a plastic coat consistingof a solution formed of celluloid and a solvent therefor, there being;included in said solution a surplus of said solventsulficientin quantityas to dissolve the surface portion of said sheet whereby said sheet andsuperimposed coat are inter-related, and butfing the surface of thesuperimposed coat after said coat has hardened.

2. A covering for articles of wood or similar material which consists ofstrata, one stratum being formed of a sheet of celluloid cemented to thesurface of the article, and the other stratum consisting; of a plasticbody supcrin'lposed upon said sheet and completely covcringsame, andbeing formed of a solution of celluloid and a solvent therefor.including a surplus of said solvent in which the surface portion of saidsheet has been dissolved and said strata thereby inter-related.

3. In an article of manufacture of the class described, a core havingthereon a cover consisting of strata, the under-stratum being formed ofa sheet of celluloid cemented to the core, the other stratum beingsuperimposed upon and completely covering said sheet and being formed ofa lacquer containing a coloring agent and a substance by which thesurface portion of said sheet has been dissolved and said strata therebyinter-related.

In testimony whereof I affix mv signature.

ITOVVARD ILOBDELL VAN ARNAM.

